GR 108

CYPHER CAT A

FM PEKING 210745Z

CONFIDENTIAL

Dep" dar

edist

TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO

HONG KONG TELNO 66 OF

Weller 1

Mi Waller

FER14/

ADVAN SOPY X R.C. HIFEX

2/1

sify

732 OF 21 JULY INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG.

12 JULY TO PEKING: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

1. IN VIEW OF ASSURANCES GIVEN BY MR ROYLE TO MR CHIA KUAN-HUA

(PARA 15 OF RECORD A OF CONVERSATION) I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO

CONTINUE TO INFORM THE MFA OF RELEASES. THEREFORE WHEN CALLING

ON DEPUTY HEAD OF CONSULAR DEPARTMENT, MFA, ON OTHER BUSINESS ON 19
JULY, COUNSELLOR HANDED HIM A LETTER ADDRESSED TO HEAD OF CONSULAR
DEPARTMENT (CHANG TSAN-MING) INFORMING HIM IN USUAL TERMS OF EARLY
RELEASE OF ONE PRISONER (CHAN YIK)

AS A RESULT OF LATEST BOARD OF REVIEW.

ACC PARA 1... CC WA BY MR ROYLE TO....MR CHIAO KUAN-HUA,

ADDIS

NNNN

}

CONFIDENTIAL

BY BAG

SCR 7/3371/68 II

Mo

M

Welk

GOVERNMENT HOUSE

HONG KONG

M. HENG, FIELD.

R.E.

ugh EFRE

K M Wilford Esq CMGRIGA

F CO

LONDON S W1

207

Дел

afril/

Des Michael

14/7.

IN

FED will will

6th

July, 1972

to this ALogan 1777

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS :

Mikas

(

good

to see.

En

as see mo

5

to dissent from the Govenor's

now about puisticity. He how now his A+ 66 to Patang)

N

двутра

af on com ces it

dfbe

M' Addis racks. If he does we should

BOARD OF REVIEW OF 29 JUNE

At a meeting on 29 June the Board of Review reduced the sentences of a
further six of the confrontation prisoners to seven years, and all six
(whose names are asterisked in the attached list) will now be released
this year. The revised timetable of releases means that seven will
remain in prison at the end of 1972, and only four at the end of

1973.

2.

of/1

The steady flow of releases between the visits of Mr Royle and the
Secretary of State to Peking is all to the good and I am sure will be
noted by the MFA without our saying anything about it. I therefore hope
we will not do so.

3.

I doubt if we can now do much more by means of the Review procedure. The
four who will still be held after April 1973 all killed or seriously
injured police officers or members of the public. The Board of Review
considered the sentence on one of them (LO Shui-yan who laid a bomb
which killed three persons and injured 38) and could not recommend a
reduction. Nor can they see any ground for recommending reductions in
sentence for the other three. I entirely agree.

4.

The four prisoners who will be left are serving demonstrably well
deserved sentences.

There

MW%

seems a good chance that they will be allowed to lapse into political
oblivion with another of the 1967 killers, HO Cheung, who shot a
policeman during the troubles, fled to China, returned and was arrested
last year, and is now doing 25 years. The Chinese have kept very quiet
indeed about him and may similarly prefer to forget the other four
killers, left over from 1967. However, if they ever did complain about
their detention, the facts would warrant a very robust answer indeed.

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

4

5.

-

In previous papers I had envisaged offering to deport the hard core
which I had expected to be rather larger. But this was only if we were
under heavy pressure. At the moment we are not, and I therefore think we
should make no such offer. If the situation changed we could reconsider.

6.

Incidentally I think we all have good cause to be thankful to Denys
Roberts, the Attorney General, for the way in which he has chaired the
Review Board. I am also grateful to John Addis for dealing so robustly
with the MFA on this issue. I hope that this forthright treatment,
coupled with Roberts' steady reduction of the numbers, have gone a long
way towards easing us off this hook. Meanwhile let us do nothing to
disturb the favourable course by either mentioning this to the Chinese
or, if they raise it, departing in any respect from the line we have
taken in Peking.

cc HM Ambassador

PEKING

You

т

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

Prospective releases at 1 July 1972

(for details see list of 15 May 1972)

*

Immediate

14. 7.72

16. 7.72

17. 7.72

6. 8.72

7. 8.72

11.9.72

11. 9.72

25. 9.72

9.10.72

28.11.72

24. 2.73

4. 3.73

15. 4.73

14.12.75

15. 2.76

Life

Life

NOTES: (1)

(ii)

CHAN Yik

TONG Ching-ping

TO Min

CHENG Yat-choi

LUX Nam

SZETO FOon

TSUI Chun

IP Sing

YAU Wai

LEUNG Pun

LO Lun

TAM Fat

CHAN Yuk-va

CHAN Sang-cheung

MOK Siu-kui

LO Shui-yan

CHU Wing-chuen

IP Tat-shing

All before The Secciary

of diare's

(10)

Visit to China.

R.E.

1447

(8)

indicates sentence reduced by Board of Review,

29 June 1972

Date

1 July 1972

1 January 1973

16 April 1973

Prisoners

18

7

4

3

16 February 1976

2

15 December 1975

CONFIDENTIAL

HOFO884/12

PEKING

RR F C O

GRPS 120

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 1231222

CONFIDENTIAL

ADVANCE COPY

гу

Mr Without And for Garteng H K & I OD

I I =

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 66 OF 12TH JULY, 1972. INFO BOUTINE F Co.

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS,

OWING TO THE FORTNIGHTLY BAG I DISCOVER YOU WILL NOT HAVE RECEIVED A
COPY OF A LETTER OF MINE TO WILFORD OF 6TH JULY ABOUT THE REDUCTION OF
SENTENCES ON A FURTHER 6 PRISONERS. THIS

WILL NOW REACH YOU EARLY NEXT WEEK.

2. THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT IS THAT THERE WILL BE TWO RELEASES ON 14 JULY
(CHAN YIK, TONG CHING-PING), ONE ON 16 JULY (TO MIN) AND ONE ON 17 JULY
(CHÊNG YAT-CHOI).

3. AS SUGGESTED IN THE LETTER 1 HOPE YOU WILL NOW FEEL ABLE

Atterbed

TO DISCONTINUE SAYING ANYTHING TO THE CHINESE ABOUT THIS MORIBUND ISSUE,
AND THAT WE CAN LEAVE NEWS OF THESE RELEASES TO REACH

THE NF A THROUGH THEIR OWN EXCELLENT CHANNELS,

HACLÉHOSE

NNNN

SENT AT 12/0438Z RD

RECD AT 12/8438Z PJH

PIFOTO4/12

- J

- PEKING

BRF CO

GRPS 123

27

16¢

CYFHER/CAT A

ADVANCE COPY

FM HONG KONG 123123Z

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Wilford And for eate Hi HK & IOD

FEH 1/1

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 66 OF 12TH JULY, 1972. INFO ROUTITE F C 0.

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

OWING TO THE FORTNIGHTLY BAG I DISCOVER YOU WILL NOT HAVE

RECEIVED A COPY OF A LETTER OF MINE TO WILFORD OF GTH JULY ABOUT THE
REDUCTION OF SENTENCES ON A FURTHER 6 PRISONERS. THIS

WILL HOW REACH YOU EARLY NEXT WEEK.

2. INÉ IMMEDIATE EFFECT IS THAT THERE WILL BE TWO RELEASES O4 14 JULY
(CHAH YEK, TONG CHING-PING), ORE ON 16 JULY (TC MIN) AND ONE ON 17 JULY
(CHENG YAT~CHCI).

3. AS SUGGESTED IN THE LETTER I HOPE YOU WILL HOW FOEL ABLE

TO DISCONTINUE SAYING ANYTHING TO THE CHINESE ABOUT THIS MORIBUND

ISSUE, AND THAT WE CAN LEAVE MOVS OF THESE KELCACES TO REACH THE IF A
THROUGH THEIR OWN EXCELLENT CHANIELS.

MACLEHOSE

ANNA

SENT AT 12/54387 RD

HECD AT 12/34392 PJH

Now have I received Si M.M's letter!

For

Milleford

تم تم

Read. This pro

негодовому

BL

1297.

The Goremor is suggesting a change in procedure. MiAdon's

will, I fancy, argue for notification to go on.

R.M. Erans

12 July, 1972.

TRIORITY

CYFHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 19/12 Z

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

RECENT

D

R.G MAYN. NO

1 4 JUL 1972

FEH 14

51

TOP COPY

TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 66 OF 18TH JULY, 1978. INFO ROUTINE F C C.

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.

OWING TO THE FORTNIGHTLY BAG I DISCOVER YOU WILL NOT HAVE

RECEIVED A COPY OF A LETTER OF MINE TO WILFORD OF 6TH JULY ABOUT

THE REDUCTION OF SENTENCES ON A FURTHER 6 PRISONERS. THIS

KILL NOW REACH YOU EARLY NEXT WEEK.

2. THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT IS THAT THERE WILL SE TWO RELEASES ON 14 JULY
(CHAN YIK, TONG CHING-PING), ONE ON 16 JULY (TO MIN) AND ONE ON 17 JULY
(CHENG YAT-CHOI).

3. AS SUGGESTED IN THE LETTER I HOPE YOU WILL HOW FEEL ABLE

TO DISCONTINUE SAYING ANYTHING TO THE CHINEVE ABOUT THIS MORIBUND ISSUE,
AND THAT WE CAN LEAVE NEWS OF THESE SELEASES TO PEACH THE M F A THROUGH
THEIR OWN EXCELLENT CHANNELS.

MACLEHOSE

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

FED

HKIOD

NÉHO D

IRD

CONFIDENTIAL

p.a. ли

2017

1

1

I

CONFIDENTIAL

I

LL

C J Howells Esq

word

KONG

+

FER 11/1

13 June 1972

50

1.

AT TALK ANI JOKES

During a meeting held by Mr Royle on 11 May (the main purpoɛa of which
was to discuss the issue of official Chinese representation), the
subject of confrontation

I am sorry that we have prisoners was also brought up. not reported this
before.

2. It was decided that present policies for dealing with the problem
were satisfactory; and the hope was expressed that the Chinese would
recognise it as a disappearing problem, It was also hoped that the
irisons Board of Review would be able to make recommendations for
further releases at its June meeting. In the meantime there was
advantage in continuing the practice of giving advance notification to
the Chinese. Towards the end of the year we should consider whether to
offer deportation of the hard-core.

Copy to:

Horgan Esq

PEKIN

COMARINESTI AL

RBR Hervey

Far Eastern Department

-

C

Covering Confidential

Reference

Kr Laird

FEA 14/1

No comment стать

En 9

CONFRONTATION FRISONERS

(49)

FED would like you to see the attached draft

letter to the Political Adviser. I believe you were

present at the meeting in Mr Royle's office.

P.r. lleely

P. M. Kelly

9 June 1972

The Wendy нежи To wan's'

I fear that

this is

another casualty of other preoccupations.

Thr Evans arked me have only just love this. The next Confidential Brag
is on

to draft before his departure and i

Hy Thay.

Letter to issue Lo

1216

+

X

CONFIDENTIAL FEDER

FLO

M. Every e My Here

Hervey 345

With the Compliments of the

Political Advise Hong Kong

&

to see zon

RECEIVED IN

***.50

Fat

*1

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

Prospective releases at 15 May 1972

Release

Number

Name

1.

14.6.72

28834

TSANG Mui

I

.

2.

14.7.72

27993

TONG Ching-ping

Offence

Consorting with another person who without lawful authority has
explosive substance in his possession.

Possession of

ammunition.

Possession of

offensive weapon.

Original sentence

9

5+8 concurrent

3.

16.7.72

28906

TO Ming

Possession of

8

offensive weapon.

4.

17.7.72

28669

CHENG Yat-choi

Possession of offensive weapons.

8

5.

6.8.72

29279

LUK Nam

Possession of offensive weapons.

8

ம்

6.

7.8.72

29281

SZETO Foon

Possession of offensive weapons.

8

7.

3.2.73

28489

CHAN Yik

+

+

Being found in the company of another person who without lawful
authority has an explosive substance in his possession.

CONFIDENTIAL

:

8+4 concurrent

+

7

Background

One of two bomb planter

who blev themselves up at Army Quarters.

The other was killed,

Nil.

Arrested placing a bomb in Queen's Road Central.

Arrested in possession of fireworks-bombs and weapons at his home
address.

Arrested planting bombs at Hung Hom Ferry.

Arrested planting bombs at Hung Hom Ferry.

Arrested in street in Yaumati in possession of bomb.

-/2.

די

Release

Number

8.

24.2.73

28707

246.74

TAM Fat

Name

9.

4.3.73

28754

CHAN Yuk-va

I

4774

CHAN Sang-cheung

CONFIDENTIAL

Offence

(contd)

Failing to report offence of posses- sion of explosive substance.

Possession of offensive weapon.

Doing an act with intent to cause by an explosive substance an
explosion.

Possession of offensive weapon.

Doing an act with intent to cause by an explosive sub- stance an
explosion.

Attempting to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or
property.

10.

15.4.73

29863

15.8.74

11.

9.6.73

30412

LEUNG Pun

explosive substance

with intent.

explosive substances

Possession of

Original sentence

10+5 concurrent

L

Background

10+10 concurrent

Threv bomb at Police during a demonstration

10

Caught placing bombs in Shamshuipo.

5+5+8+5 concurrent

Arrested following a raid at his home address.

+

Possession of

Possession of

offensive weapons.

Possession of

corrosive substances

CONFIDENTIAL

:

-/3.

+

't

, I

Release

12.

11.1.74

Number

29884

Name

IP Sing

CONFIDENTIAL

3

Offence

Possession of an

explosive sub-

stance with intent to endanger life or property.

Possession of an offensive weapon.

Possession of simulated bombs.

Possession of an explosive sub- stance vith

intent to endanger life or property.

Possession of an offensive weapon.

Original sentence

9+9+5+9+9 concurrent

9+9+5+9+9 concurrent

13.

11.1.74

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